I don't want to do party bags

The UK isn’t the only country that does party favours. If neither of you put them together for your DC’s birthday party and invite other kids the chances are the kids will be disappointed and think your child is a bit weird.

You sound miserable. Don’t bother having a party and then you won’t be going through hell.
When we did parties, we had lots of games. Every game a different person came first and won a prize, which went straight in their party bag. I loved shopping for personal things for each bag, added homemade cookies, birthday cake and crafts. My daughters loved giving out party bags to their friends. We never saw it as hell, it was very special. I miss those days.

@TheBlueKoala I agree it is quite unappetising wrapped in a paper napkin and squished. I think it's because children are usually full of party food, jelly and ice cream, so they take the cake home for later. You could buy nice boxes to put cake slices in, or individual cup cake boxes. Then not as much need for a party bag (maybe just a novelty balloon).

I agree with @TheBlueKoala that putting the cake in the bag is kind of weird. Where I grew up tt birthday cake was served as dessert at the party meal.

But yes, you have to suck it up. It's part of the ritual, and the birthday child usually likes handing them out. It doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. It doesn't even have to be plastic.

I have done this a few times! A book and bubble wand. I got a box of 12 bubble wands from the worlds for £4. And 10 for £10 books from the works. Done this with both DC. Children always love choosing out a book 🙌🏻

After doing loads of parties I just give cake in party bag.

If your partner thinks party bags are so important he can fill them.

We never had them either growing up.

We got given a slice of cake wrapped loosely in a serviette and dropped crumbs all over the back seat of my dad's car 🤣

How old are you? Party bags have been a thing for decades...

Not English so let me just say that I think you are completely WEIRD to put a piece of cake in the bag!! Like smashed cake- who wants that? I've lived in different countries and this is very much an English tradition that I will never understand or adher to.
Can someone explain this to me? Does anyone not do it?

Just dd some sweets if you don't want to do party bags or easter eggs or selection box etc depending on time of year

Are party bags a modern thing? They didn’t exist when I was growing up.

I hate all the plastic tat that comes home in them and didn't wanna infect it on others. I did a book (you can buy multi packs of Mr Men/Little miss books or other story books cheaply on the Internet) and craft kit that bought ready made off ebay and some cake.

DS has a December birthday I'm not sure I'd be able to afford selection boxes instead of party bags with how expensive they are these days.

🙄🙄

Why oh why didn’t I think of that when we were planning our family, @Figgygal - that is genius!

I've always thanked my lucky stars that ds bday was in December and we would just do selection boxes
Never did party bags for him

It is a good way to finish the party and stop people lingering, also once you have piece of cake in that nearly fills the bag so you only need eg a small chocolate bar/bag of sweets/some cheap fillers from B&M etc. After a couple of years, you could just give a piece of cake and a balloon, or once i did like a cellophane cone filled with sweets, they seemed popular.

@GoingCrazy643 - I’m sorry, but I do think you (or dh) are going to have to do party bags - they are expected at parties for younger children. But I don’t think you have to spend a fortune or put in lots of plastic tat - I would put in bubbles, a balloon, stickers and sweets.

I did once buy craft kits instead of party bags, and when I explained to the party attendees that the craft kits were instead of a party bag, at least one child asked if they could have the party bag instead, so I never tried that again. I had three dses, which mean a lot of party bags, and by the end, I was just filling the bags with sweets - one quick trip round the pound shop sweet section, fill the bags and done.

Go to Poundland and buy everyone a bag of Haribos. Job done.

An alternative to party bag is to just buy bags with mixed sweets in. It's cheaper, you won't deal with plastic landfill tat, takes no time and the best is that the children are perfectly happy with this. I was a sahm so I had the time (and ok I admit I actually liked doing party bags but I'm weird- and I wouldn't have liked it if my time was limited as for a working mum) but every time my ds got one haribo mix as a party bag he was really happy so if you don't have time/don't enjoy it then don't do it.

They are a great way of signalling that the party is over and you're expected to leave, there is that. They don't have to be amazing or expensive, as PPs have said just a pot of bubbles, sticker, mini bag of Haribo and a piece of birthday cake and you're good to go. Get your DH to do them if you can't bear the hassle.

I didn't get them when I was a kid but it does seem to be the base standard now, so if you don't mind your dc's friends standing there looking bewildered while you chuck their coats at them, feel free to ignore social convention.

You can keep them really simple - a cake, some sweets and some bubble mixture is perfect!

YANBU to not want to do them
YABU if you don't actually do something

My kid is 11 now so those days are behind us thank goodness! I hate all the plastic tat that ends up in landfill. We just did sweet cones for the last party. I made them myself as I didn't mind doing it, you can pick them up for a couple of quid each if you can't be arsed